Electronic display mount

ABSTRACT

The invention is a mount for an electronic display device. The mount comprises a mount member that has a top face and a bottom face. Portions of the mount member are configured to engage portions of a mounting surface within the cockpit of an airplane. The mount also comprises a containment member spaced therefrom the mount member. A joint member is disposed in frictional contact with portions of the respective mount member and containment member. A base member, which may be configured for engagement with a portion of the electronic display device, may be connected to the joint member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic display mount. Morespecifically, display mount for electronic devices primarily used withinthe cockpit of an airplane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the aviation industry, there are many advances in navigation andcommunication that require the use of portable electronic devices. Onesuch device is an electronic flight bag (EFB). The concept of EFB's is amethod of eliminating the voluminous Jeppeson style paper charts andapproach plates in an aircraft. EFB's offer display means for flightnavigation charts which are portable and can be electronically updatedby the installation of pre-prepared electronic maps. They typicallyoffer small screen display approximately the size of a Jeppesen approachplate (about 5″×8″).

The value of such a device is immense, however, space in a cockpit isvery limited. To date, it has been difficult to locate a position towhich to affix the EFB, which is both readily viewed by the pilot anddoes not interfere with the flight controls. What is needed is a mountwith which to affix the EFB to various locations in the cockpit.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a mount for an electronic displaydevice. The mount comprises a mount member that has a top face and abottom face. Portions of the mount member are configured to engageportions of a mounting surface within the cockpit of an airplane. Themount also comprises a containment member spaced therefrom the mountmember and defining an opening therethrough. In one aspect, there isplurality of attachment members therebetween the top face of the mountmember and the bottom side of the containment member, defining a cavitybetween the mount member, the containment member, and the attachmentmembers.

A joint member is disposed in the cavity formed by the mount member, thecontainment member and the attachment members. In one aspect, there isan elongate articulating member extending outwardly away from the outersurface of the joint member and through the opening defined through thecontainment member. Rotation of the joint member causes the articulatingmember to articulate within the opening. In one aspect, there may be abase member disposed on a distal portion of the elongate articulatingmember. The base member may be configured for engagement with a portionof the electronic display device in order to secure the electronicdisplay device to the articulating member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will become more apparent in the detailed description in whichreference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one aspect of the mount for anelectronic display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 1, showing a mountingsurface, a base member, and an electronic display device.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the mount of FIG. 1 showing the basemember with a plurality of adjustment bores.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a portion of the mount of FIG. 5, showingthe lower and upper circumferential edges of the containment member thatare partially beveled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexemplary embodiments that are intended as illustrative only sincenumerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. As used herein, “a,” “an,” or “the” can mean one ormore, depending upon the context in which it is used. The preferredembodiments are now described with reference to the figures, in whichlike reference characters indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

The present invention relates to a mount 10 for an electronic displaydevice 30. In one aspect, the mount 10 comprises a support member 5configured to engage portions of a moveable window frame of an aircraftcockpit. The support member 5 is connected to a base member 460, whichis configured to engage portions of an electronic display device 30. Thebase member, in this aspect, is adjustable such that the viewing angleof the electronic display device may be selectively adjusted. In anotheraspect, the electronic display device is an electronic flight bag.

In one aspect, the support member 5 comprises a mount member 100 thathas a top face 110 and a bottom face 120. Portions of the mount member100 are configured to engage portions of a mounting surface 20 withinthe cockpit of an airplane. The mounting surface 20 can be, but is notlimited to, portions of the pilot's moveable window frame. In oneaspect, the mount member comprises holes 130 extending therethrough forone or more fasteners to attach the mount member to the mountingsurface. As one skilled in the art can appreciate, the mount member maybe affixed to the mounting surface in any number of ways, including butnot limited to screwing, bolting, adhering, and the like. In one aspect,the mount member 100 is substantially planar. In another aspect, thebottom face is configured to conform to the mounting surface 20.

The mount 10 also comprises a containment member 300 spaced therefromthe mount member and defining an opening 310 therethrough. In oneaspect, the containment member 300 is substantially planar. The mountfurther comprises a plurality of attachment members 200 extendingtherebetween the top face 110 of the mount member and the bottom side ofthe containment member. In one aspect, a cavity is defined between therespective mount member, containment member, and attachment members 200.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a joint member is disposed in the cavity formedby the respective mount member 100, containment member 300 andattachment members. In one aspect, the joint member is substantiallyspherical. However, other shapes for the joint member are contemplated.

For example, in one aspect, at least a part of the top portion 420 andthe bottom portion 430 of the joint member has a curved surface. Inanother aspect, the mount member has a depression 140 in its top face110 configured to complimentarily accept a bottom portion 430 of thejoint member. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the depressionmay be a hole therethrough the mount member. In this aspect, at least aportion of the bottom portion of the joint member is disposed thereinthe depression 140. Further, in one aspect, at least a portion of thetop portion 420 of the joint member may engage a portion of the opening310 therein the containment member. In this aspect, the top and bottomportions of the joint member are adapted to frictionally engage thedepression of the mount member and top portion of the opening toselectively restrict the rotational movement of the joint member.

FIG. 5 shows an elongate articulating member 450 extending outwardlyaway from the outer surface 440 of the joint member and through theopening defined through the containment member. One will appreciate thatrotation of the joint member causes the articulating member 450 toarticulate within the opening 310. In one aspect, the mount furthercomprises a base member 460 disposed on a distal portion 470 of theelongate articulating member. The base member 460 may be configured forengagement with a portion of the electronic display device 30 in orderto selectively secure the electronic display device to the articulatingmember. In another aspect, the base member defines a plurality ofadjustment bores 480 adapted to allow access to the attachment members.

In an effort to increase the frictional surface contact between thecontainment member and the joint member, in one aspect, the opening 310therein the containment member 300 comprises a lower circumferentialedge that is at least partially beveled or shaped to conform to theexterior shape of the top portion of the joint member. Similarly, toincrease the range of motion of the articulating member, in anotheraspect, the opening in the containment member may comprise an uppercircumferential edge that is at least partially beveled.

In one aspect, in an operative position, the attachment members 200 areconfigured to selectively compress portions of the containment memberand portions of the mount member against the joint member such that thecontainment member and the mount member 100 cause a friction fit withthe joint member, substantially restricting it from rotating (as well asthe articulating member 450 and anything that may be attached thereto).The attachment members may be, for example, screws, bolts, and the like.Therefore, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, tightening orloosening of the attachment members selectively increases or decreasesthe force of the friction fit and, therefore, increases or decreases theexternal force required to overcome the selective friction fit. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, any conventional method ofcompressing the containment member 300 and mount member on the jointmember may achieve the same result. For instance, a clamp could be usedbetween the containment member and the mount member.

In one aspect, the invention comprises a plurality of bias elements 210disposed on the attachment members 200, supported by a portion of thecontainment member. The bias elements 210 are meant to adjust the forceapplied on the containment member by the attachment members. As theforce is decreased, containment member 300 is biased between the engagedposition and an unengaged position, in which the friction fit of thejoint member between the containment member and the mount member isreleased, enabling limited rotation of the joint member and, therefore,movement of the articulating member within the opening in thecontainment member. The bias elements may be, for example, springs.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in theforegoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the artthat many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will cometo mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting thedescribed invention, nor the claims which follow.

1. A mount for an electronic display device, comprising: a supportmember configured to engage portions of a moveable window frame of anaircraft cockpit; a base member connected to a portion of the supportmember, wherein the base member is configured to engage portions of anelectronic display device; and a means for orienting the base memberwith respect to the support member such that the electronic displaydevice is at a desired orientation with respect to an external viewer.2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the support member further comprises: amount member having a top face and a bottom face, wherein portions ofthe mount member are configured to engage portions of a mounting surfacewithin a cockpit of an airplane; a containment member spaced therefromthe mount member, the containment member having a top side and a bottomside and defining an opening therethrough; a plurality of attachmentmembers therebetween the top face of the mount member and the bottomside of the containment member, wherein the mount member, thecontainment member, and the plurality of attachment members define acavity; a joint member disposed therein the cavity, the joint memberhaving an outer surface; an elongate articulating member extendingtherefrom the outer surface of the joint member such that at least aportion of the elongate articulating member extends therethrough theopening defined therethrough the containment member, wherein rotation ofthe joint member articulates the articulating member within the opening;and a means for selectively compressing and releasing the joint memberbetween portions of the containment member and portions of the mountmember to selectively cause a friction fit between the joint member andportions of the containment and mount members such that the elongatearticulating member is substantially restricted from moving; wherein thebase member is disposed thereon a distal portion of the elongatearticulating member.
 3. The mount of claim 2, wherein the mount memberis substantially planar.
 4. The mount of claim 2 wherein the containmentmember is substantially planar.
 5. The mount of claim 2, wherein thejoint member is substantially spherical.
 6. The mount of claim 2,further comprising a depression therein the top face of the mount memberconfigured to accept portions of the joint member.
 7. The mount of claim6, wherein a portion of the joint member is disposed therein thedepression and wherein a portion of the joint member is engaged with theopening therein the containment member, thereby restricting the lateralmovement of the joint member.
 8. The mount of claim 2, wherein theopening therein the containment member comprises a lower circumferentialedge that is at least partially beveled to partially conform to theexterior shape of the joint member.
 9. The mount of claim 2, wherein theopening therein the containment member comprises an uppercircumferential edge that is at least partially beveled.
 10. The mountof claim 2, wherein the joint member is substantially confined by themount member, the containment member, and the attachment members,thereby restricting the lateral movement of the joint member.
 11. Themount of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device is an electronicflight bag.
 12. A mount for an electronic display device, comprising: amount member having a top face and a bottom face, wherein portions ofthe mount member are configured to engage portions of a mounting surfacewithin a cockpit of an airplane; a containment member spaced therefromthe mount member, the containment member having a top side and a bottomside and defining an opening therethrough; a plurality of attachmentmembers therebetween the top face of the mount member and the bottomside of the containment member, wherein the mount member, thecontainment member, and the plurality of attachment members define acavity; a joint member disposed therein the cavity, the joint memberhaving an outer surface; an elongate articulating member extendingtherefrom the outer surface of the joint member such that at least aportion of the elongate articulating member extends therethrough theopening defined therethrough the containment member, wherein rotation ofthe joint member articulates the articulating member within the opening;and a means for selectively compressing and releasing the joint memberbetween portions of the containment member and portions of the mountmember to selectively cause a friction fit between the joint member andportions of the containment and mount members such that the elongatearticulating member is substantially restricted from moving.
 13. Themount of claim 12, further comprising a base member disposed thereon adistal portion of the elongate articulating member configured forengagement with portions of the electronic display device.
 14. The mountof claim 12, wherein the mount member is substantially planar.
 15. Themount of claim 12, wherein the containment member is substantiallyplanar.
 16. The mount of claim 12, wherein the joint member issubstantially spherical.
 17. The mount of claim 12, wherein the mountingsurface comprises a portion of a moveable window frame within thecockpit of the airplane.
 18. The mount of claim 12, further comprising adepression therein the top face of the mount member configured to acceptportions of the joint member.
 19. The mount of claim 18, wherein aportion of the joint member is disposed therein the depression andwherein a portion of the joint member is engaged with the openingtherein the containment member, thereby restricting the lateral movementof the joint member.
 20. The mount of claim 12, wherein the openingtherein the containment member comprises a lower circumferential edgethat is at least partially beveled to partially conform to the exteriorshape of the joint member.
 21. The mount of claim 12, wherein theopening therein the containment member comprises an uppercircumferential edge that is at least partially beveled.
 22. The mountof claim 12, wherein the joint member is substantially confined by themount member, the containment member, and the attachment members,thereby restricting the lateral movement of the joint member.
 23. Themount of claim 13, wherein the electronic display device is anelectronic flight bag.
 24. A mount for an electronic display device,comprising: a mount member having a top face and a bottom face, whereinportions of the mount member are configured to engage portions of amounting surface within a cockpit of an airplane; a containment memberspaced therefrom the mount member, the containment member having a topside and a bottom side and defining an opening therethrough; a pluralityof attachment members therebetween the top face of the mount member andthe bottom side of the containment member, wherein the mount member, thecontainment member, and the plurality of attachment members define acavity; a substantially spherical joint member disposed therein thecavity, the joint member having an outer surface, wherein a plurality ofthe attachment members are configured to selectively compress portionsof the containment member and portions of the mount member against thejoint member into an engaged position whereby the containment member andthe mount member cause a friction fit with the joint member such thatthe joint member is substantially restricted from rotating; a pluralityof bias elements disposed thereon the attachment members and supportedby a portion of the containment member, the bias elements beingconfigured to adjust the force applied on the containment member by theattachment members such that the containment member is biased betweenthe engaged position and an unengaged position whereby the friction fitof the joint member therebetween the containment member and the mountmember is released, thereby enabling limited rotation of the jointmember; and an elongate articulating member extending therefrom theouter surface of the joint member such that at least a portion of theelongate articulating member extends therethrough the opening definedtherethrough the containment member, wherein rotation of the jointmember articulates the articulating member within the opening.
 25. Themount of claim 24, further comprising a base member disposed thereon adistal portion of the elongate articulating member configured forengagement with portions of the electronic display device.
 26. The mountof claim 25, further comprising a plurality of adjustment borestherethrough portions of the base member enabling access to theattachment members.
 27. The mount of claim 25, wherein the electronicdisplay device is an electronic flight bag.
 28. The mount of claim 24,wherein the attachment members are screws attaching a portion of thecontainment member to a portion of the mount member.
 29. The mount ofclaim 25, wherein the mounting surface comprises a portion of a moveablewindow frame within the cockpit of the airplane.
 30. The mount of claim24, wherein the opening therein the containment member comprises a lowercircumferential edge that is at least partially beveled to partiallyconform to the exterior shape of the joint member.
 31. The mount ofclaim 24, wherein the opening therein the containment member comprisesan upper circumferential edge that is at least partially beveled.